Stepladder



Aug. 23, 1932. BLQSSER 1,873,)?

STEP LADDER Filed NOV. 8. 1930 Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UN!" STATES JOHN B. IBLOSSER, F COOKS, MICHIGAN srnrtnnnnn Application filed November 8, 1930. SerialNo. 494,431.

The present invention relates to ladders,

and .more particularly step ladders which while capable of universal use are especially adapted to be used-in the gathering of hand 7 picked-fruit such as cherries, peaches, and

the like. I l

The object of the present invention is to provide a ladder of substantial construction yet not too heavy, capable of being adjusted 10 to varying levels of ground; and in which vibration is reduced to a minimum, and es-,

pecially so when the operator is on the topmost, steps of the ladder. It is readily apparent that the elimination of vibration is of,

a-substantial importance, as many times women and children are employed to pick the fruit from a substantial height, necessitating in some instances ladders 6 to 12 feet in height. One of the causes of vibrationwill be understood from the following: A ladder may be well made, but 'if the bracing used to prevent the ladder from falling over is connected at the center of the very top of the ladder, when p the operator shifts his weightto one end of the top step, the ladder will spring down: wardly and forwardly. Nhen the operator shifts to the other end of the step, vibration. will result. When the ladder is in use, the,

" preferably in the form of a channel having operator constantly shifts his weight as he ire-reaches in differentdirections to gather thefruit. One of the main objects of the present invention is to reduce the vibration to a minimum. i I

Another object of the presentinventionis the provision of a pocket for holding the lad der legs together while the ladder is being handled. Broadly stated, the invention comprises in a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair ofrail end- "'members carried by the side rails, a brace member pivotally attached to the rail end members to permit the brace member to swing outwardly and inwardly, and braces pivotally mounted for lateral movement on the brace member and adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly with the brace member.

In the more specific form ofthe invention, the brace member is made in the form of a ''channel to snuglyreceive thebraces and ala' truss support.

. ber and preferably located above the horizon- However, this construction of the rail endfor the lateral movement of the braces therethrough. However, it is to be understood that the is merely the preferred material, and that many other materials maybe utilized.v All of the elements of the ladder maybe made of Wood, but in that case-theladder will not be as substantial and as free from vibrationas if the brace member and the rail end-members are made of a metal, and preferably, as stated, of sheet metal which lends itself easily to manipulation. The brace pivots are preferably in the lower portion of the brace member. However, the position of the pivots may be somewhat varied and still come within the spirit of the invention. In the preferred form ofrthe invention the braces are mountedon 7e the brace pivots so that the upper portions thereof abut to form with said brace pivots There is also provided a pro ecting member carried bythe brace memtal plane of the brace pivots, the projecting member acting as anadditional support for one of the braces. The rail end-members are substantially front'and rear walls, a top wall and an end wall, the side rails being fastened tothe rallfmembers'between the front and rear walls and adjacent to the end walls.

members may be varied and still come within thefscope of the present invention.

The present invention also contemplates certain novel details of combination, con-' 'struction and arrangement of parts of the improved ladder herein disclosed whereby certain important advantagesare obtained, as will be more fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that the invention is susceptible of various changes in'construction which may .be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of, the invention. I o v The present invention will be disclosed and Figure 4 is a partial rear viewshowing the ladder braces held in place whentheladder is being handled.

The ladder consists of a framecomprising side stiles or rails 1, steps 2, and a top step-3.--

Braces 4 and 4A are provided. Fixed on to the ends of rails 1 are-rail'end membersm5, preferably in the form of channels or sleeves.

The rail end-membershave a front wall 8, a rear'wall 9, anupper wall'or-flangelO, andan "end wall 11', the latter "abutting against the rail 1 as sliownin Fig- 3. The rail endmembers5 -may be made of any suitablema terial, but preferably f sheet; metal: Therail enchmembers 5' are secured by means ofbolts 6 and 7 to the rails 1,-an-d-the top step #1 23 0fthe ladder is "fastened to the rail end-' members 5 by meansof rivets"12 and 13. The" bracenie1nber 14 is adapted to have bra'ces 4 and 4A -pivotally mounted therein by means of 'bolts 15 and 16. The-brace 'mernbrmr ladder head is preferably in the-form -of a channel havingarear wall 17, 'a front wall l8, 1 and relatively shortendwalls 1'9 The lower portions of the rear and-front walls ll' and 18 form lips- 20 and 21 and'itisp rezlkn'redthat'- the I bolts-15 and 16' be mounted "in the "lower-portion of the lips): The brace member 14' is pivotally mounted 'on-the rail endmembers by means of: pivotingmembers, :forexample bolts-22. Fastened-"to'athe *brace member above the horizontal' pl'an'e of the brace pivots is a projecting member' '23, for example a bolt, which acts as an additional support for-the top portions"of thejbraces 4 and'4A. i

A pocket :24 is -provide'd for holding-the *bra'ces 4 and 4A when-the ladder is notb ing used. The pocket comprises -a shaped or the like, and I projecting flan ges or clip fi members 27 and-28; Whenusi ngthe ladder, the brace 4 may vbe-placed in the-clip 27-andthen thebrace 4A is clamped-inithe flangeor clip 28'by springing the brace'therein, Both ozfi the braces will spring .outaunder the-clips 'and be held in V lace. These clips 21 andf28 function best w en they exert a small spring aetionon the braces.

v. It .w i llv be notedfthat. when the braces 4 and 4A:are.fstandiiig on varying levels, the

top portionsithereof abut, as shown in'Figure 21. The braces below the'abuttinglpointare' pivotally mounted to the'brace member-14 means of pivots 15 and 167'Whenansoper-f ator stands upon one ofthe steps, for example "the top step 3,,h'is' weightis supported by a truss arrangement formed by the braces 4 and 4A being pivoted'on the pivots 15 and 16 and ,abutting against each other, as shown in Figure 2. The truss efi'ect obtained is enhanced by the effect of the legs resting on f the ground. The projecting member 23 in the? preferred former the inventionincreases the trusseffctfi It'will be noted thatthe ends 19 of the brace members 14 are fastened to Therefore,

cause it to swing downwardly since itis held ,inplaoe by the brace 14 and the lever action of the braces 4 and 4A. When the ladder is resting on level ground,- the top portions of the-braces 4 and 4A abut, forming a support;

Whentheladder rests on uneven-ground,the

projectingmember 23f, as shown-in Figure 2, acts as' a *fu'lcrum for one ofthe braces, the

lower end ofthe particular braceresting on the projection- 23" being-of course 'on fthe ground 'which 'acts as a substantial support:

It-'-'is;-;-therefore, clear that regardless of 1 the 1 particular position of the legs, that is-whether they are placed on level ground oruneven groundftlieladder when'in use has a' truss lever action which reduces vibration' to' a min imumx zontal plane of' thebrace pivots-, and posi- The construction- 1 of the end lnembers may be- 1 considerably varied. For example, the end wall -ll 'm-ay be*o1nitted,' and this :in some E instances is- 'thfe :')referred construction. 1

15111 2 -la dder, the: combination-"of side m9 rai lsg steps therebetweem a pair of'rail endmembers carried by tlle si'derailspa brace member-pivotal ly attached to-said rail end-- members to' p'ermit-the brace membertoswing outw vardly and-inwardly, braces pivotally mounted foir lateral movement on said brace member 'and adaptedto bemoved inwardly-1' and outwardly therewith, said brace'sprd 3 jecting/upwa-rdly beyond their respectivepivoting zpoints'g an'd a projecting member 1 r I t carrie'dbysaid bracemember above the hori+ metal member having a rear 'wall 25 -adapted to be'fastened'to the step-2 bymeansofscrews tioned to allow said braces'to contact'with'fl one 1 anotherand form- =-with *the proj ecting niembee'a-trusssupport;

2. In -la' dder,'- the combination= off-side" rails", steps therebetween, a pair of-railyend-"- members carried bvthe-side-rails, a channel brace member pivotally attached tojsaid rail end -rnembrsito permit the brace" member I to' Y swing outwardly 'and 1 inwardly, braces pivotally ,rnounted for lateral movement'in said channel Tbracejmember and adapted to i be. moved inwardlyland outwardly therewith;

said-i braces: .-projecting ,upwardly beyond 5 their respective pivoting points, and'a pro jectingj'member carried on said-brace memto contact with one another and form with the projecting member a truss support.

3. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of rail end- ..members carried by the side rails, a brace member shaped to provide a channel for movement of the braces therebetween and having end walls closing the upper portion of the channel and pivotally attached to said rail end-members to permit the brace member to swing inwardly and outwardly, and braces pivotally mounted for lateral support in said channel brace member and adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly with said brace member.

4. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of rail endmembers carried by the side rails, a brace member shaped to provide a channel for movement of the braces therebetween and having end walls closing the upper portion of the channel and pivotally attached to said rail endmembers to permit the brace member to swing inwardly and outwardly, braces mounted for lateral movement in said channel brace member and adapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly with the brace member, and a projecting member carried by said brace member above the horizontal plane of the brace pivots, said projecting member acting as an additional support for one of said brace members. i

V 5. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of rail end members carried by the side rails, a brace member having a top wall, substantially parallel front and back walls spaced from one 7 another forming a channel just sufficient to snugly receive the braces, and end walls closing the upper portion of the channel and pivotally attached to said rail end-members to permit the brace member to swing inwardly and outwardly, and braces pivotally mounted for lateral movement in said channel brace member.

6. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of'rail endmembers carried by the side rails, a brace member having a top wall, substantially parallel front and back walls spaced from one another forming a channel just sufficient to. snugly receive the braces, end walls closing the upper portion of the channel and pivotally attached to said rail end-members to permit the brace member to swing inwardly and outwardly, braces pivotally mounted for lateral movement in said channel brace-member, and a projecting member carried by said brace member above the horizontal plane of the brace pivots, said projecting member acting as an additional support for one of said brace members. a

7. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of rail endmembers having substantially'parallel front and rear walls, a topwall and anend'iwalhg said side rails being attached to the rail end- I members between-said front and rear walls and-adjacent to-the-end walls, a channel,

brace member pivotally attached to said rail end-members to permit the brace member to swing inwardly'and outwardly, braces pivotally mounted for lateral movement 'in'the channel brace member allowing :the braces to be adjustable for varying ground levels,

and a projecting member carried by said brace member above the-horizontal plane of the brace pivots, said projecting member actbrace members. m

ing as an additional support for one of said 8. In a ladder, the combinationqof;sidei rails, steps therebetweema pair of rail end members having substantially parallel front and rear walls, a top wall and an end ,wall,-'

attached to the sidewallsof the rail end-q members to permit thelbrace member toswing inwardly. and outwardly,'and braces pivotally mounted forlateralmovementin said channelbrace member.

9; In a ladder, the combination of rails, steps therebetween, a pairof rail endmembers having substantially parallel I frontand rear walls, a top wall"andan end wall,

said side rails being fastened to the rail mem-;

bers between said front and rear walls and. 1

adjacent to'the end walls, a brace member having a top wall, substantially parallel front and back walls spaced from one another form-I ingachannel' justsuificient to snuglyreceive braces, and endwalls closing the upplerfpor tion ofthe'channel and pivotally attached to the side Walls of the rail end-members to permit the brace member toswing inwardly I and outwardly, braces pivotallymounted for lateral movement in said channel. brace mem ber, and a projecting member carried'by said brace member above the horizontalplane of p the brace pivots, said projecting member acting as an additional support fo r'one ofsaid brace members.

10. In a ladder, the combination of side rails, steps therebetween, a pair of rail end-' members carried by the side rails, a brace member pivotally attached to said rail endmembers to permit the brace member to swing outwardly and inwardly, brace pivots attached to said brace member, and braces mounted on said pivots for lateral movement and having the upper portions thereof abutting to form with said pivots a truss support, said braces being adapted to be moved inwardl an d ioutvvardly zwithl saida'brace member-r r T {113 iIn -a laddeigfithe combination ofwsider rails; steps therebetwe'enfa pair of rail: end members carriedr= by the si de*rails,"-a brace member pi'votally attached'to said rail endmembers toipermit the, bracemember to swing 5 outwardly rand: inwardly, brace pivots; attaehefd tojsaid' brace inember,-braces mounted 19 Onsaid pivots =for lateral' movement and having'the upper portions thereof abutting to'ctorm with said pivots atruss support; said bra'cesf-beingv' adapted to bermoved inwardly and-outwardly With said brace member, and 35 "a projecting member carried bys'a-i'd brace member-above: the; horizontal plane of the brace pivots, said projecting member acting as} an additional SHppOIt TfOI one of 1 said bracesfi v o V r 12. In a ladder,"the combination of" side rails, steps therebetween, a pair "of'rail endme'mberscarried by the "side rails; a brace member made of'sheet metal and shaped to form 'a channel pivotally attached to :said. ""rail' end membersto permit the bra-cemember to" swing zinwardly and outwardly, brace pivots-attached to said :brace memberyand braces mounted on said pivots for lateral I movement and having the upper portions 'the reof abutting toformWith said pivots a l tru'sse:-'su"pport; sa'id braces beingadapted to be moved inwardly and outwardly-with the) brace memberz V r i l a ,r p 13 111 a ladder, "the combination ofside" -ralils, "steps therebetvv'een, a pair'of rail endmembers'carriedby the side rails, a brace member made of sheet metal, and shaped to 'form a. channel pivotallyattached to said rail: end-memberstopermit the 'bra'ce'member "to swing inwardly and outwardly brace pivots attached toisaid bracememberfbra'ces-- mounted on said pivots for lateral movement arrdhavingtth upper portions thereof abutting toformwith said pivots a :truss sup-' --port,=said braces being adapted to be moved inwardlyandoutwardly With-thebrace memr b er; and 'a proj'ectingmember carried bysaid brace member above the horizontalplane: ofthe brace pivots; said pro-jecting memb'er act 7 *ing asan' additionalsupport for, one of said braces. 7 V 1 1 I 1 y In testimonywhereof I hereunto aflix my s'ignature. r

JOHN B. 'BLOSSER; 

